The unique blend of interconnected horror vignettes, meticulously crafted mythology, and that distinctly British approach to cosmic dread created something that wormed its way into our psyches like one of the Corruption’s more persistent entities.
While nothing may ever perfectly replicate the experience of following the Archivist’s journey through fear manifestations and the machinations of Elias Bouchard, several other fiction podcasts offer their own compelling variations on horror anthology formats, immersive worldbuilding, and that delicious slow-burn revelation of a grand cosmic design.
Whether you’re drawn to statement-style personal accounts of terror, morally complex protagonists, elaborate supernatural mythologies, or simply need something to listen to while imagining eyes watching you from every corner, these podcasts might just fill that Archives-shaped hole in your listening schedule.
Malevolent
Arkham private investigator Arthur Lester regains consciousness with no recollection of his identity or past, only a strange, disembodied voice to lead him through the shadows. Lost, afraid, and without sight, Arthur begins unraveling a trail of enigmas in a desperate attempt to uncover what has happened. But as otherworldly terrors begin to invade reality, he must confront a chilling question: is the voice guiding him a savior… or something far more sinister?
The White Vault
Journey into the darkest corners of the globe with the audio drama podcast *The White Vault*. Through recovered logs and recordings, follow a repair crew dispatched to Outpost Fristed in the remote, frozen expanse of Svalbard, and discover the chilling secrets buried beneath the ice. Brought to you by Fool and Scholar Productions, this series is recommended for mature listeners.
Tower 4
Mike Archer takes a job as a fire watcher in Wyoming after his mother’s death, hoping for solitude to write. But eerie sounds, strange radio signals, and unsettling sights in the woods soon make him question what’s real, and what might be in his head.
The Phenomenon
As a paranormal menace pushes humanity to the brink, scattered survivors cling to life under three strict rules: avoid looking outside, never glance at the sky, and stay completely silent.
The Sheridan Papers
In 2018, horror author Anna Sheridan vanished, leaving behind eerie cassette tapes. Detective Sam Bailey investigates, only to uncover a mystery far more bizarre, and perilous, than expected.
Darkest Night
“Darkest Night” is a binaural audio drama that puts you inside the final memories of the dead, revealing a chilling conspiracy. Narrated by Lee Pace and featuring a star-studded cast, headphones recommended for the full terrifying effect.
Alice Isn’t Dead
A truck driver journeys across the U.S. in search of her wife, whom she believed to be dead. Along the way, she crosses paths with inhuman killers, time-warped towns, and a vast conspiracy far bigger than one disappearance.
Monstrous Agonies
Whether it’s werewolves with domestic issues or ghouls tackling workplace woes, no problem is too bizarre for this weekly advice show, brought to you by the UK’s one and only radio station serving the monster world.
The Black Tapes
The Black Tapes is a weekly podcast by the team behind Pacific Northwest Stories, hosted by Alex Reagan. This serialized docudrama follows a journalist’s journey to uncover the truth, diving into her subject’s enigmatic history and the real, and metaphorical, ghosts that follow them. Do you believe?
Welcome to Night Vale
Listen to Welcome to Night Vale
Biweekly broadcasts from the desert town of Night Vale, where every conspiracy theory holds a grain of truth. Switch on your radio, and take cover. New to the show? Jump into the latest episode and you’ll quickly get the idea. Or start from Episode 1 if you’re ready for a full-on binge. Read our review of Welcome to Night Vale and discover the best episodes of Welcome to Night Vale.
Archive 81
Archive 81 is a fictional podcast that delves into themes of horror, urban landscapes, and the subconscious mind.
The Penumbra Podcast
Listen to The Penumbra Podcast
At “The Penumbra”, follow Juno Steel, a tough private eye on Mars, navigating dangerous cases and personal fears. Or join Sir Caroline, leading troubled knights to protect their city from mind-bending monsters, some of whom they love.
The Silt Verses
In this horror/fantasy drama, Carpenter and Faulkner, followers of a forbidden god, journey up a dark river seeking divine revelations. Along the way, they face a police manhunt and confront strange, forgotten gods.
Spirit Box Radio
Spirit Box Radio is a bi-weekly horror podcast about a radio show for fans of the paranormal. Sam Enfield, a former postman with no arcane knowledge, inherits the show after the previous host disappears. He soon uncovers unsettling mysteries that challenge everything he knows, with a cast of diverse and quirky characters.
The Storage Papers
In July 2019, Jeremy made a lucky choice to place the sole bid on an abandoned storage unit. Initially disheartened by the lack of valuable items, he instead uncovered an extensive collection of documents detailing bizarre and inexplicable events. Join him as he dives into these unsettling, paranormal, and strange occurrences in each episode, revealing the terrifying reality hidden just beneath the surface of everyday life.
Old Gods of Appalachia
Listen to Old Gods of Appalachia
In central Appalachia, ancient horrors lurk beneath the mountains, waiting to be awakened. “Old Gods of Appalachia” is a horror anthology podcast set in an alternate version of these dark hills, where digging too deep unearths far more than anyone bargained for.
TANIS
“Tanis” is a bi-weekly podcast from the Public Radio Alliance, hosted by Nic Silver. This serialized docudrama delves into the intriguing mystery surrounding the myth of Tanis. It explores the intersection of truth, conspiracy, and information, where science and fiction begin to overlap.
Pretend
PRETEND reveals the true stories of imposters, from cult leaders and con artists to undercover FBI agents.
Observable Radio
Observable Radio is a found footage podcast blending retro sci-fi and analog horror, created by Cameron Suey, Phil van Hest, Purpurina, Wendy Hector, and the Observable Radio Ensemble.
The Scarab Archives
For almost twenty years, the enigmatic Lazarus Foundation has gathered objects believed to be supernatural, safeguarding them in a hidden vault called the Scarab Archives. Follow Dr. Delbert East, the Archive’s keeper, as he works to digitize its most horrifying artifacts, only to stumble upon an impending danger that defies human comprehension.
I Am In Eskew
Stuck in the nightmarish, surreal city of Eskew, a man continuously records his daily encounters, desperate to make contact with the outside world. This series frequently features body horror and other unsettling content.
Dark Air with Terry Carnation
Listen to Dark Air with Terry Carnation
Rainn Wilson leads this fictional dark comedy podcast, diving into the on-air and off-air life of Terry Carnation, a late-night talk radio host. He tackles strange subjects, bizarre callers, and soon finds himself tangled in a mystery of his own making.
The Lovecraft Investigations
Listen to The Lovecraft Investigations
A deep dive into witchcraft, the occult, and covert government activities, inspired by the works of H.P. Lovecraft.
Ghost Wax
Ghost Wax is a horror fiction podcast that follows the last “reclaimer” as they investigate a string of unnatural murders by resurrecting the dead and recording their final words on wax cylinders.
Read our review of The Magnus Archives
Discover the best episodes of The Magnus Archives